IMITATE THEIR FAITH/ JONATHAN

 "Nothing Can Hinder Jehovah"

Picture a solitary military outpost overlooking an arid and craggy landscape.  The Philistine soldiers posted there have found something of interest in the mountainous view: Two men, Israelites, are standing in plain sight across the ravine.  The soldiers are amused -they see no threat there.  The Philistines have long dominated the Israelites, who cannot even get their  metal farm implements sharpened without going to their Philistine enemies for help.  Israelite soldiers are thus poorly armed  Furthermore, these are only two men!  Eve if they were armed warriors, what harm could they possibly do?  Sneering , the Philistines call out:  "Come up to us, and we will teach you a lesson!" - 1 Samuel 13:19-23; 14:11, 12. 

In fact, a lesson was in the making, but those Philistines would find themselves on the receiving end of it.  The two Israelites ran down the ravine, crossed it, and then began climbing up the near side. It was so steep that they had to use their hands and feet, but they kept coming, scrambling over the rocks, heading straight toward the outpost!  (1 Samuel 14:13) The Philistines could now see that the man taking the lead was armed;  his armor-bearer followed.  But was he actually leading a two-man attack on an entire garrison?  Was the man mad?

He was not mad; he was a man of great faith.  His name was Jonathan, and his story is still alive with lessons for true Christians today. Though, we do not engage in physical warfare, we can learn a great deal from Jonathan about his courage, loyalty, and selflessness that we need in order to  build genuine faith. -  ISAIAH 2:4; MATTHEW  26:51, 52.

Next time: IMITATE THEIR FAITH/JONATHAN - Loyal Son and Brave Soldier

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